I bought a pretty big tent for my buddy and myself. I read good reviews about it and didn't mind paying a little more for what seemed like a quality tent. It's too big for one person to assemble without cursing the Lord, and it was very hard for my buddy and I to get together to put it up, make sure all the pieces are there, and seal the seams. I work seven days a week, he works shift-work at a prison, and its' been a dadgummed monsoon here every evening after work for a straight week (ah, good ol' swampy South FL weather).

Well, we finally had to get around to doing it Saturday between my two jobs. Long story a little shorter, a freaking hailstorm popped up that made the ones earlier in the week seem like a sunny day. The seam-sealer had sufficient time to dry, but it started to drizzle and I didn't want to pack the tent back up when it was wet...I just thought it would blow over. Anyway, a hard, HARD storm with heavy wind came through, buckled one of the poles (the collapseable roof-support ones, not the big leg-poles). The whole tent collapsed and proceeded to lay flat on the ground while the yard flooded, filling it with water and dead grass. I took it up to the warehouse at work and hung it up with a forklift (had to, it's a big tent) and turned a shop fan on it to dry it off. I believe the tent material is fine, but I'm worried about the pole. It's split in two, so it's kind of bowed, although the cable running through it still holds it together.

I was thinking of buying a backup tent @ Wal-Mart...if I can't get mine to work, I've got it covered...if it's fine, then I'll return it (or sell it to somebody there who isn't as lucky). BUT, that will severely cut into my budget because the ones they have at our Wal-Mart big enough for my buddy and me (I'm rather giant) are 85 bucks. I'll see if I can borrow one, but I don't know if I can.

What do you guys recommend?

BTW, don't think I'm a huge loser for tying such a big post about my tent. It's not that bad, I type the way I talk...a LOT...and FAST! lol

Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:22 pm

bornbytheriver

Wanee Mushroom

Joined: Sun May 17, 2009 10:40 amPosts: 61Location: Columbus, GA

Re: My tent troubles...grrr!

Dick's Sporting Goods has "tent pole" repair kits. If I understood correctly, it's the collapsible kind with the chord in the middle. I would check there first.

Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:31 pm

GreenGrassHighTides

Wanee Mushroom

Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:04 pmPosts: 50

Re: My tent troubles...grrr!

I hope it doesn't come to that, but I may have to. I bought the tent from Dick's...the only problem is my little podunk town has no shopping available so I have to drive a little over an hour to West Palm Beach to get to Dick's...which will be hard for me since I've unfortunately made myself a last-minute Charlie and don't have much stuff ready. But I suppose if I have to, I will...where else am I gonna sleep? (Ladies?)

Not planning on going by Orlando (taking Hwy 27 up to the turnpike in Leesburg), but I'll definitely keep my eye out for one on the road, especially on I-75 and I-10.

I just called Dick's and they do have replacement poles. Still, I don't think I can spare the 2.5 hrs it will take in the evening to go get 'em...so I think I'm going to try to borrow a co-worker's tent for a back-up and try my luck with the pole. I'm not terribly psyched about this lol.

Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:32 pm

owllover

Wanee Wizard

Joined: Sat May 23, 2009 12:53 pmPosts: 3659

Re: My tent troubles...grrr!

major bummer. the lemonade of the whole deal is better now than at Wanee...

I say take the tent back and say it's a piece of s#%t. your tent shouldn't do that..right? yes, it's a big storm, but stores will take back anything...

wait, I just remembered the mud inside the tent deal. maybe they won't take it back...

UGGH!! TOTALLY SUCKS, I'm feeling your pain!

Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:43 pm

tipiboy

Wanee Mushroom

Joined: Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:36 pmPosts: 84

Re: My tent troubles...grrr!

Just realized my rocks glass has RvR's logo on it 8*) Brother, we're bringing a second tent that just needs resealing. Not from down there ... But I'll look around on the way up thursday. You're welcome to it ... And if You get some seam sealer (or sounds like you might have some) ... Mi Tentcasa ... Su tentcasa

_________________Work like nobody's watchingLove like you're not getting paidDance like you've never been hurt

Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:53 pm

Dartdog82

♫♫ Wanee Master ♫♫

Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 7:43 pmPosts: 9637Location: Albany, NY

Re: My tent troubles...grrr!

f2photo wrote:

Rules for me:

1. Stay sober enough to setup tent2. Make sure to have tent I can setup sober.3. Use GPS locator for when I am not sober to find the aforementioned setup campsite.

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